A Call for reform of international refugee law: the need for an expansion of the definition of a refugee under the 1951 refugee convention

Abstract

In recent times, the UNHCR has been accused of railing in the fulfilment of its mandate as provided for under its statute. However, the entirety of fault is not to be borne by the UNHCR, owing to the fact that the Agency relies on laws drafted for a different time. The main aim of this research is to investigate whether there is a need for reform of the international refugee law regime. The objects of the study were to distinguish the circumstances that led to the formation of the 1951 Convention from the prevailing circumstances and to establish the role of the UNHCR in the enforcement and development of international refugee law, in a bid to determine the applicability or the existent laws to the modern refugee crisis.